LIVE from the Camino Héctor Walks His Way- Week 5

[donalomahony]

I believe it’s ok for me to share my experience

agree! Thank you for taking the time to keep us up to date with your Camino...

 

[ScouseKeith]

Obsession?
Being that we all have different abilities, I believe it’s a good idea to be as well informed as possible. Problem is that the information can be very subjective and misleading. Portraying the Camino as a stroll in the park might be a reflection of one persons experience but not that of others.

I struggle with hills, others don’t. I struggle with rocks, others just breeze by like gazelles, leaving me behind with a cheerful “buen camino”. Just because a person finds it easy doesn’t mean that others will.

Heading into a journey like this naively thinking it’s just a stroll can be a recipe for disaster. I’ve already witnessed two close calls in people that were in much better shape than me. As much as I tried to prepare and be informed, I’ve found unexpected challenges that I try my best to meet, and I believe it’s ok for me to share my experience.

So no, I don’t think being cautious or well informed an obsession.

Hector
You couldn’t be more accurate. I’m 68 and I’ve walked the Camino 5 times and next year I’m walking the Via de la Plata as my last Camino.
During the past 9yrs I’ve seen some pretty nasty accidents whether through over confidence, clowning around, alcohol or just not paying attention to their surroundings. I myself have had 2 quite serious accidents one where I ended up having surgery in hospital, so I really do understand the meaning of being prepared.
So Héctor you keep doing what you’re doing, be careful be safe and arrive in Santiago in one piece and proud you walked it your way.
Buen Camino Keith

 

[happypilgrim]

FWIW @HBS60 I walked up to Cruz de Ferro last week from rabanal, I was there around maybe 8:30/9am and had the place to myself.

yeah i did the same last year and there were only 3 - 5 other people there. Not crowded at all.

 

[HBS60]

Trabadelo to La Faba-9.4 miles 15 Km.

My day didn’t start well, actually my evening wasn’t good, either. I’ve been trying for two days to change my Santiago to Madrid train ride two days later, but the Trainline app wouldn’t let me even when my ticket was changeable. After multiple phone calls to Customer service, getting the runaround, having to make callbacks only to get a different agent, having to explain my request all over again but getting nowhere, I was livid. Unfortunately, the Albergue I chose served only vegetarian meals but wouldn’t tell me what they were going to serve, and they wanted me to join their community meal. I simply don’t like vegetarian meals and I was hungry, so I made an effort to eat some of it. The socialization was good and I tried to join the camaraderie, but I was still aggravated by the train issue. (I resolved it later). I felt I was sticking out like a sore thumb and I didn’t want to contribute my negativity, so I disengaged as politely as I could but it was awkward.

I woke up this morning and I couldn’t find my food bag where I have my “survival snacks” and moreover, I couldn’t find my luggage transport envelope which I had filled the evening before with the money. I’ve heard of albergue thefts but I was trying not to reach unwarranted conclusions, so I filled a new envelope with the money in it, and I started to walk, in a bad mood, and hungry.

Fortunately, a few kilometers down the road, I found a truck stop and a hotel with a restaurant, so I was able to buy some snacks, have breakfast and that helped my mood. My route today was to go up to La Faba, which is halfway up to O Cebreiro, and this climb has a notorious reputation. The route passes through a few towns and countryside, with cows in close proximity, just across the street from a sidewalk cafe when I was having a Café con Leche. Great bucolic, peaceful scenes, good for the soul.

Then, after Las Herrerías, the climb started to get steep. Initially it was along a highway, it was close to noon by now and it was getting warmer, so I shed a few layers. I had to stop several times due to tiredness and to catch my breath. Then the route took me off the road to a trail shaded by a dense canopy of trees. It was rather rocky but not impossible, just very steep. The shade helped so much as it keep the atmosphere cool enough to prevent overheating. As I was laboring up the mountain, a woman recognized me from my FB posts, explaining that she had a friend that follows me, so she took a selfie of us together to show it to him.

By this time my mood was much better, as the countryside was just gorgeous. I finally got to the Albergue early, I was about 45 minutes too early before they opened up, but I was able to enjoy their beautiful grounds. My backpack was there, to my relief.

So I got settled in, showered, put clothes in the washer (many, although not all albergues have available a washer and sometimes also a dryer, usually 4-6 euros each), although many people wash their clothes by hand and hang them to dry. I’m just not very good at handwashing.

I decided to search both my backpacks…and I found my food bag buried deep in the daypack, and I also found the missing transport envelope with the money, feeling embarrassed how upset I was this morning.

It’s now getting to be late afternoon, and I’ve enjoyed this particular albergue a lot, wishing I could stay longer, but I must move on. Tomorrow I complete the climb to O Cebreiro when I’m fresh in the morning, but will move on. There’s a couple uphills afterwards that might be challenging but short, then it goes downhill to Triacastela where I’ll spend the night. It will be a much longer distance than the previous two days, but I don’t want to fall too far behind, as I’m hoping to make it to Santiago around the 20th-22nd, and changing my ride dates will give me a couple extra buffer days.

Tomorrow I finally exit Castilla León and will enter Galicia. I’m looking forward to new experiences in this beautiful place.

FB link for pics https://www.facebook.com/share/p/znsaxBsYHjjLXfWy/?mibextid=WC7FNe

 

[VNwalking]

It’s now getting to be late afternoon, and I’ve enjoyed this particular albergue a lot, wishing I could stay longer, but I must move on.

Isn't it a gem of a place?
You made it up the rockies and steepest part of the climb. Do yourself a favor and stop for a cafe in La Laguna. A very nice place to take a breather.

And look back once you get up to O Cebreiro, reflecting on how far you've come. It will blow your mind.

So no, I don’t think being cautious or well informed an obsession.

It's definitely not.
And you're right. Depending on abilities, the camino can be either a stroll or a challenge.

I think what @JillGat was picking up on is how language can make what is already challenging seem even harder. The hills are already steep without emphasis. Giving as much focus to what is easy or neutral balances out the perception of things. And holding challenges gently and lightly does a lot to make them seem less heavy.

 

[HBS60]

Isn't it a gem of a place?
You made it up the rockies and steepest part of the climb. Do yourself a favor and stop for a cafe in La Laguna. A very nice place to take a breather.

And look back once you get up to O Cebreiro, reflecting on how far you've come. It will blow your mind.


It's definitely not.
And you're right. Depending on abilities, the camino can be either a stroll or a challenge.

I think what @JillGat was picking up on is how language can make what is already challenging seem even harder. The hills are already steep without emphasis. Giving as much focus to what is easy or neutral balances out the perception of things. And holding challenges gently and lightly does a lot to make them seem less heavy.

Thanks, much appreciated!
I get the point about the language making the challenges harder than they are. On the other hand, all too often I’ve felt these challenges are casually dismissed (not maliciously or intentionally), so it’s a fine line to walk.

 

[VNwalking]

I’ve felt these challenges are casually dismissed

Unfortunately, challenge is subjective - like pain. Laughing off someone's very real struggle is just plain callous - but that's what happens if people (fitter, younger, or more sturdy people) mistakenly think their easy experience is the standard. Then anyone struggling becomes a wimp. Which is rubbish, of course - but those laughing just don't know about limitation (yet).

 

[HBS60]

Question:
I reserved an albergue for Triacastela tomorrow, as well as arranged for the transport. I’m concerned that because of the distance from La Fsba, it might be too much, so I might want to stop sooner. What can I do to get the luggage delivered to a new place, assuming it’s already on its way or already delivered to Triacastela?

 

[unadara]

Hector you did really well with the Trainline fiasco, using your reason and buying new. I think the way you plan and walk is necessary for your physical and mental well being. I too like to be well informed and insist now on walking at my own slow pace (my interpretation). You are also keeping us well informed with interesting observations on the difficulties one person (you) faces and overcomes so well day to day. Keep the posts coming as I don't leave for Santander until the 26th.

 

[dougfitz]

So no, I don’t think being cautious or well informed an obsession.

and I don't think @JillGat was referring to you when that comment was made.

 

[dougfitz]

What can I do to get the luggage delivered to a new place, assuming it’s already on its way or already delivered to Triacastela?

The only time that I have seen the circumstance where a pilgrim arrived at a place to find that there bag was elsewhere, they had to do without their bag that night. It was at a B&B, and the owner spent over an hour on the phone to find where the bag had been delivered. The pilgrim arranged for the bag to meet her at the end of the following day.

Your circumstances might be a little different, and you might be able to get a taxi to collect the bag and bring it to wherever you decide to stay, provided that your bag can be positively identified to the satisfaction of everyone involved. No-one is going to want to be involved in a case of mistaken identity where someone else's bag is taken incorrectly.

edit: note that you might need to take a taxi to collect the bag to ensure that you are collecting the correct one.

 

[J Willhaus]

Question:
I reserved an albergue for Triacastela tomorrow, as well as arranged for the transport. I’m concerned that because of the distance from La Fsba, it might be too much, so I might want to stop sooner. What can I do to get the luggage delivered to a new place, assuming it’s already on its way or already delivered to Triacastela?

You might have to go get it by cab or have a cab bring it to you if you don't walk that far.

Edit: I have known pilgrims who forgot to put the envelope on thier bag and had to cab back and get it. Afterall, it isn't that far in a cab.

 

[HBS60]

Unfortunately, challenge is subjective - like pain. Laughing off someone's very real struggle is just plain callous - but that's what happens if people (fitter, younger, or more sturdy people) mistakenly think their easy experience is the standard. Then anyone struggling becomes a wimp. Which is rubbish, of course - but those laughing just don't know about limitation (yet).

During my Molinaseca descent, a German family actually laughed at me. I’m glad that several minutes later a young man and a nice lady helped me tremendously. I think people aren’t necesssarily maliciously callous, sometimes they are simply not attuned to what others go through.

 

[WalkingLester]

Question:
I reserved an albergue for Triacastela tomorrow, as well as arranged for the transport. I’m concerned that because of the distance from La Fsba, it might be too much, so I might want to stop sooner. What can I do to get the luggage delivered to a new place, assuming it’s already on its way or already delivered to Triacastela?

Your solution, as others have pointed out, will involve a taxi. The price might sting a little as along that route taxis are pretty expensive. I believe there are taxis based in Triacastela and they would collect your bag and bring it to your new stopping point. You need to be there to receive the bag and pay the taxista. If they come get you and take you to Tria, then return you and your bag, that might be two trip$$.
Also just wanted to add that you were quite successful dealing with the train ticket issue. You rapidly went to an advanced level of camino train troubleshooting !!

 

[CWBuff]

Just a thought to throw out there
If there's a taxi involved might as well take it to original albergue in Triacastela and save yourself unnecessary headaches in extra logistics

 

[HBS60]

Entering Galicia!

 

[VNwalking]

sometimes they are simply not attuned to what others go through.

Yes, exactly. It's very easy to get into one's own bubble. On and off the camino.

 

[VNwalking]

If there's a taxi involved might as well take it to original albergue in Triacastela and save yourself unnecessary headaches in extra logistics

Hmm, and miss one of the most magical sections of the camino, between Fonfria and Triacastela? In that situation I 'd be happy to pay extra. (Fonfria has a wonderful albergue, btw.)

 

[Clycobb]

The thing about that horrible descent on the rocks is that you will remember forever those two people who helped you. The memory of the pain and fear will fade, but your interactions with those beautiful people will not.

 

[MARSKA]

I very much enjoy following your adventures! Thank you for taking the time to create such wonderful, descriptive posts.

Hope you and your bag are reunited properly. Walk on mi amigo!

 

[trecile]

Hector's week 6 thread is here:
Héctor Walks His Way- Week 6